Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Zurich Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad (ZLIMB) has announced the appointment of Pauline Teoh as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 November 2024. She brings over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, having held multiple senior leadership roles across the APAC region with leading financial institutions.

Pauline is highly regarded in the insurance industry, with a proven record in driving business growth, digital transformation, partnership management, sales and distribution, and financial risk management.

Speaking on her new role, Pauline said, “I am honoured to lead ZLIMB and look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success. Zurich Malaysia’s dedication to innovation and customer-centricity resonates with my own values, and I am excited to work with the team to continue delivering best-in-class solutions that truly care for what matters most to Malaysians, as we create a brighter future together.”

Meanwhile, Junior Cho, country CEO and head at Zurich Malaysia, commented, “We are excited to welcome Pauline as the new CEO of ZLIMB. Her extensive experience, industry knowledge, and strong leadership skills make her the ideal person to drive ZLIMB’s business through growth, diversification, simplification and innovation. Pauline will report to me and be part of our leadership council to align with the OneZurich approach under Zurich Malaysia.”

He added, “Pauline’s dedication to delivering customer-focused solutions aligns perfectly with Zurich Malaysia’s mission to provide innovative insurance products that meet the evolving needs of Malaysians. We are confident that she will play a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives that strengthen ZLIMB’s competitive edge in the insurance sector.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Insurance and takaful solutions provider Zurich Malaysia has joined forces with Malaysia-based pet insurance platform Oyen to introduce ‘Oyen Takaful Kucing’, the first-ever cat takaful product in Asia.

Oyen and Zurich’s innovative collaboration aims to address the growing demand for takaful pet coverage that can provide comprehensive protection for cats and their owners in Malaysia.

The ‘Oyen Takaful Kucing’ coverage can cover up to RM8,000 of unexpected vet bills when a customer’s pet cat falls ill or is injured. With this, owners can seek quality veterinary care for their feline companions during emergency situations.

Additionally, the Shariah-compliant product will provide pet owners with coverage plans that are aligned with the Islamic principles and values of mutual protection and shared responsibility.

Leveraging Oyen’s AI-enhanced application, the cat takaful insurance ensures seamless submission, processing, and tracking of claims, which offers a swift assessment and greatly simplifies the experience for pet owners.

Shamsul Azman, chief executive officer of Zurich General Takaful Malaysia Berhad, said, “We are excited to collaborate with Oyen in introducing Asia’s first cat takaful product. We believe that this product aligns with the evolving needs of pet owners and supports our commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. Zurich is proud to be part of this venture, and we look forward to making a meaningful impact on the pet insurance and takaful industries in Malaysia. This ties back to our brand campaign “Care For What Matters,” reinforcing our dedication to protecting what our customers value most.”

Kevin Hoong, co-founder and CEO of Oyen, also shared, “As the pioneer of pet insurance in Malaysia, we are encouraged to see the exponential growth in the segment since our launch in 2021. We have seen growing interest from pet owners who prefer takaful as a protection option for themselves and their family (including their pets). With our new takaful offering with Zurich, a leading global brand, we look forward to helping more Malaysian pet owners afford high quality veterinarian care that is comparable to that of developed nations like UK, Japan, and Sweden. This partnership marks a significant step in providing peace of mind and security to pet owners while respecting their faith-based principles.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Another Raya campaign is gracing our screens. The love and care for family are one of the biggest reminders of the Hari Raya celebrations and Zurich Malaysia, the insurance provider, has unveiled a short film on a rather mellow touch circling the theme and one that truly tugs at the heartstrings. 

Done in collaboration with Mediabrands Content Studio (MBCS), the brand’s heart-warming film titled ‘Kepulangan’, or which means ‘The Return’, centres around Zurich’s Raya theme of embracing togetherness. The film tells the story of Zyra and her in-laws as they navigate the emotions surrounding the passing of her husband, the son in the family. Through these emotional upheavals, she discovers upon returning to his family home that, in the end, they will always belong together as a family and that the bond of a family is forever.

Christopher Chong, associate creative director of MBCS, shared that when they put the script together, they thought about what it really is that ties people together. 

“Love and connections are sometimes bridged by a spouse, parent, or friend, but what happens when that bridge is gone? Our story is meant to show that while there might be uncertainties in life, one can still have peace of mind with preparedness, and the underlying love of family will always be there, to help you find togetherness, even if not bound in blood,” said Chong. 

Meanwhile, Zurich CMO Thai Mei Lih, said, “At Zurich, we understand the importance of family, and the ties that bind us. When there’s safety, security and protection in place, families and loved ones can truly embrace togetherness with certainty and peace-of-mind. The MBCS team have managed to deliver a film that speaks to this message that’s at the very heart of what Zurich stands for.”

Chong further adds, “This message of the return is deeper than just returning home for Raya, it speaks to the return, and the coming together as a family, even when things don’t go as planned. We hope all Malaysians enjoy the film this Raya and cherish the important messages of family and love within.”

This isn’t the first film that MBCS has launched for a brand amidst the commemoration of Hari Raya in Malaysia. Recent collaborations for Raya include those of personal care brand Safi and local clothing line Bulan Bintang